SLAJ lobbies Parliament on Criminal Libel

MONDAY MARCH 3, 2014 – The Sierra Leone Association of Journalists (SLAJ) yesterday implored the leadership of the Sierra Leone House of Parliament to support the Association in its quest to have the criminal portions of the Public Order Act of 1965 expunged and/or reviewed.  (Photo: Speaker of Parliament, S.B.B. Dumbuya and SLAJ President, Kelvin Lewis)

First meeting with the Speaker of the House, Hon. Sheku B.B. Dumbuya, SLAJ President Kelvin Lewis expressed the need for Parliament to support causes that will help deepen democracy in the country, not least upholding freedom of expression.

“SLAJ supports all democratic initiatives in the country. We believe freedom of expression should be allowed to flourish, which is why we’ve come to ask you to support our cause to have the criminal portions of the Public Order Act repealed or reviewed,” said Mr. Lewis. “SLAJ is not against the entire Public Order Act, we are concerned about those provisions in Part 5 of the Act that criminalise free speech.”

The SLAJ President reminded the Speaker that, despite the fears being expressed as to what will replace Part 5 of the Public Order Act if repealed, there are adequate remedies always available for people who feel their reputation has been defamed, stressing that the 1961 Defamation Act and the 2009 Bankruptcy Act offer very tough penalties for journalists found guilty of libel.

Mr. Lewis congratulated Hon. Dumbuya on his attainment of the office of Speaker of Parliament.

In his response, Hon. Dumbuya informed the SLAJ Executive that “everything about Parliament is lobbying”, which he said is standard practice all over the world.

“You need to lobby the Majority and Minority Leaders of Parliament. My job is to preside over the business of the House, and I don’t have the final say. Members of Parliament have the final say, and I only come in on very crucial matters,” said the Speaker. “Parliament is always ready to work with journalists, our only reservation being some of them are sensational.”

He assured SLAJ of his support and encouraged the Executive to first of all try to win the support of the Majority and Minority Leaders of Parliament.

SLAJ also met with the Majority Leader and Leader of Government Business in Parliament, Hon. Ibrahim Bundu, who lauded the Association’s approach in having criminal libel removed from the country’s law books. Quoting President Koroma, Hon. Bundu said, “Instead of tearing ourselves apart, it is good to sit down and talk.”

“In Parliament, we deal with what is before us,” said the Majority Leader. “The law in question was passed way before we came to Parliament, which is not to say we do not have the obligation to bring in new things. I’m grateful that you’ve taken this approach, which will determine the outcome [of your lobbying].”

Hon. Bundu educated the SLAJ Executive on the options available to them, which are, either through a Private Members Motion or by a Government Motion.

“You have Members of Parliament who were journalists, you can use them to pilot a Bill through a Private Members Motion. We’ll debate it and then vote on it. As an MP, I’ll welcome such a Bill and vote my conscience,” he said.

The SLAJ Executive also met with the Deputy Speaker, Hon. Chernor Bah, who said it was important for people to discuss the fears they may have about repealing the criminal portions of the Public Order Act.

He said they as Parliamentarians have no fears but views, which they will express whenever the issue of [repealing the Public Order Act, 1965] come to them.

However, SLAJ could not meet with the Minority Leader, Hon. Dr. Bernadette Lahai, as she was out of the office when the Executive visited.

SLAJ

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